If you’re like me, you started your day off with a steaming cup of coffee (milk in mine, please).  And here in Peru, the fourth Friday in August is “Peruvian Coffee Day.” An article in Andina reminds us of this obscure holiday, meant to promote domestic consumption of this stimulating drink. Although Peru is a large coffee exporter, locals tend to drink instant coffee (which is why I always recommended visitors to Peru opt for the coca tea rather than the “coffee”).

Coffee is one of Peru’s biggest agricultural exports, and organic coffee is becoming increasingly important. My homebrewed cup this morning was actually organic Peruvian coffee. Last year Peru exported nearly $46 million of organic products, including bananas, coffee, and cacao. And since the United States (followed by Germany) is one of Peru’s largest coffee importers, you could be sipping some right now.